Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: During the first day of the regional
consultation, government representatives
were given the opportunity to make
statements on how their governments had
dealt with violence against children. Most speakers highlighted the importance of the family as a unit and
therefore the need to find solutions for eliminating violence within the
home and the family. Many of them also mentioned the various
international mechanisms they had ratified, as well as initiatives that were
underway, or the need for reviewing laws and legislation.
The speaker from Algeria said he hoped the conference will come up with
recommendations that are applicable on the ground, with follow-up
mechanisms, and not simply request governments to deal with the
problem.
The speaker from Lebanon said it was time for change. Protecting and
preventing children from violence was the core of the development process
which would contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals,
but also break the silence and integrate children into mechanism that
affect them.
The representative from Jordan said that it was essential to protect the
family, therefore we must put an end to violence in the family, especially
sexual violence. Project must also take into account customs and
traditions.
The speaker from Iraq said that her country was an exceptional case. The
misuse of authority and mismanagement of resources, and the bloody
actions of the previous government, and now, the collapse of country and
state institutions means that children have paid a heavy price since the
1980s. Children face being captives, terrorism, lack of security, abductions,
arms trafficking, injury, organised crime, and children living on the streets
are the first victims.
The Palestinian speaker said children in the Occupied Territories are
exposed, as other children are, to violence related to issues of housing,
security, and armed conflict. Furthermore, children are not only victims of
violence, but are also being stigmatised as committing violent acts or being
terrorists.
The representative of Sudan said that rebellious movements are violating
the rights of children in camps, and they are forcing children into fighting
forces. There is also the problem of Sudan being targeted for its natural
resources. The West, he said, is also over blowing what is taking place in a
very limited area and to a very limited extent for ulterior motives.
The speaker from Kuwait regrettably to say that five children had been
killed in the last year in the home or in school, and that out of one million
population, this was a dangerous indicator, “ignoring the problem will not
help, we need to move towards prevention measures.”
The representative from Qatar said his country had taken all necessary
measures to protect the rights of children, from all types of violence (high
council of family). Abused or violated children in the home,
The representative of Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates made specific
references to the rights of disabled children.